John Heald walking tours of Mardi Gras on FB

[emm126]

9 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

If it's an Excel Suite you got shifted to, you will be able to relax in the Loft 19 area, which is like the Havana area on the Vista Class ships on steroids.

No- I don't gamble that much! lol- regular ocean suite. 

[emm126]

7 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

A free suite is a great offer (Ultra promo? That's what we're under for that sailing I believe).

 

We managed a suite offer once. It ended up being one of the most expensive FREE cabins we've ever sailed in. Could have booked a cabana several times over!!  

 

Tom

It wasn't the Ultra, it was the Plan now, pay later? I did compare the Ultra rate to what I booked a couple of months ago when I realized it was an Ultra, but it was more for the Havana Cabana that I had at the time, plus I would lose $500 in casino cash and drink anywhere. So to be a part of the Ultra and maybe get another Ipad, wasn't worth it to me. 

 

My last cruise January 2020, I was offered a suite and booked Pride for May 2020 and that was of course cancelled. This will be my 1st suite on Carnival, so excited.  Take care,

[emm126]

4 hours ago, helene109 said:

We have a suite for 8-14. I will be curious as to what you think of it! We have always wanted to try one.

I am sure it will be great-I think the ocean suites are no longer one of the best cabins on the ship but I will be happy with the extra room. I have seen the video John did on FB several times. I am on deck 9 and good with location too. I hope- Have a wonderful cruise, I will leave her in good shape for you! 

[helene109]

4 minutes ago, emm126 said:

I am sure it will be great-I think the ocean suites are no longer one of the best cabins on the ship but I will be happy with the extra room. I have seen the video John did on FB several times. I am on deck 9 and good with location too. I hope- Have a wonderful cruise, I will leave her in good shape for you! 

We are on Deck 9 too!! I keep doing research as to everything on deck 8! Oh my looking forward to your opinion! Have a great time too!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

1 hour ago, emm126 said:

It wasn't the Ultra, it was the Plan now, pay later? I did compare the Ultra rate to what I booked a couple of months ago when I realized it was an Ultra, but it was more for the Havana Cabana that I had at the time, plus I would lose $500 in casino cash and drink anywhere. So to be a part of the Ultra and maybe get another Ipad, wasn't worth it to me. 

 

My last cruise January 2020, I was offered a suite and booked Pride for May 2020 and that was of course cancelled. This will be my 1st suite on Carnival, so excited.  Take care,

 

Drop in at the roll call (here) for this sailing if you'd like  🙂

 

Tom

[dbph]

Can’t wait to see the casino and get some updates on gaming!!

[SRQbeachgirl]

I was hoping to see loungers on the extended balcony, rather than regular chairs. Hopefully that's what they will have by the time we cruise in April.

[scwhiner]

Maybe it's just us, but we're pretty disappointed in the ship so far.  It is absolutely beautiful with all the glitz and glam of Central Station, but the loss of all the storage in the rooms, lack of real lighting in the rooms and the shear size of getting from point A to point B, especially with food in lido - no way a hot meal or even warm meal will be even possible trying to get food and then get to a table.  We'll reserve final opinions until we sail for sailabration but the modern minamalist rooms, the cafeteria style dining room, the business style steakhouse, it's all just underwhelming and does not seem at all a Carnival ship.  The seafood restaurant seems to follow the ambiance of a specialty restaurant but everything else, it's just big and plain so far.  I don't know, maybe in person it will be different.  But for now I'm glad the other cruises we have booked are on the other ships.  I think the new mega ships will not be for us and sadly as they take more and more of the older out of commission, it will take us out of cruising with Carnival. The other thing that really gets me is orginally John said the pools would have regular step in allowing for those with challenges easier access, that didn't happen either... Still looking forward to when we actually are back on a ship, any ship.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

How long before they strip the one remaining element of "upscale" dining, and pull the tablecloths from Rudi's? I recall the shift from Supper Club to Steakhouse - and everything seems to go in one direction.

 

"That's just the way it is..." (borrowing from Bruce Hornsby)

 

Tom

[scwhiner]

2 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

How long before they strip the one remaining element of "upscale" dining, and pull the tablecloths from Rudi's? I recall the shift from Supper Club to Steakhouse - and everything seems to go in one direction.

 

"That's just the way it is..." (borrowing from Bruce Hornsby)

 

Tom

 It is the way it is and it's just unfortunate.   They preached about creating an experience for all but yet they have designated "classes" with all the restricted areas.  They could have easily retained upscale dining open to all to pay for the experience, follow a dress code, tableclothes, etc... if they wanted to go.

[BrotherCraig]

Can't get enough of all of the included food choices and all of the seating for the eateries.  EVERYWHERE!  No more walking around with food looking for a place to sit.  Outside, inside -- love it!  More food options, more seating, and I love the food layout around the ship.  I am already a Excel Class fan and I didn't even set foot on the ship yet.  My jaw is still on the floor.  

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

They're back in Port Canaveral - woo hoo. From what I can see on John's video this morning, they are positioned at the pier in such a fashion (starboard side towards pier) that when they leave on Saturday with their first group of passengers, they'll be heading straight out the channel.

 

I had hoped that they'd dock on their port side, necessitating a trip to the turning basin on Saturday - so that I could stake out a table for dinner and have a grand show unfold in front of me. Alas, no showboating apparently - and they're going to get straight to business!!

 

Tom

[Honolulu Blue]

14 hours ago, dbph said:

Can’t wait to see the casino and get some updates on gaming!!

 

They're going through the casino LIVE RIGHT NOW.  Eventually it will be available for replays.

Edited July 28, 2021 by Honolulu Blue

[barcuss]

We are sailing on the Mardi Gras on 8/7. Does anyone know if the rooms have a mini fridge for us to be able to put can soda or other items? We are on Deck 14 with a balcony if that is a factor.

[Cruise Related]

1 minute ago, barcuss said:

We are sailing on the Mardi Gras on 8/7. Does anyone know if the rooms have a mini fridge for us to be able to put can soda or other items? We are on Deck 14 with a balcony if that is a factor.

Yep, there’s a fridge. With see through doors even!

[barcuss]

1 minute ago, Cruise Related said:

Yep, there’s a fridge. With see through doors even!

Outstanding, thanks so much Cruise Related

[BrotherCraig]

12 minutes ago, Cruise Related said:

Yep, there’s a fridge. With see through doors even!

 

and temperature control that is easy for guests to adjust.  

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

37 minutes ago, BrotherCraig said:

 

and temperature control that is easy for guests to adjust.  

 

LOL -  yes, I recall John saying that!  🙂

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

52 minutes ago, barcuss said:

We are sailing on the Mardi Gras on 8/7. Does anyone know if the rooms have a mini fridge for us to be able to put can soda or other items? We are on Deck 14 with a balcony if that is a factor.

 

Drop in at the roll call for that sailing (HERE) and say HI !!  🙂

 

Tom

[dbph]

9 hours ago, Honolulu Blue said:

 

They're going through the casino LIVE RIGHT NOW.  Eventually it will be available for replays.

Thanks. Looks great. Can’t wait to play!

[SNJCruisers]

15 hours ago, scwhiner said:

Maybe it's just us, but we're pretty disappointed in the ship so far.  It is absolutely beautiful with all the glitz and glam of Central Station, but the loss of all the storage in the rooms, lack of real lighting in the rooms and the shear size of getting from point A to point B, especially with food in lido - no way a hot meal or even warm meal will be even possible trying to get food and then get to a table.  We'll reserve final opinions until we sail for sailabration but the modern minamalist rooms, the cafeteria style dining room, the business style steakhouse, it's all just underwhelming and does not seem at all a Carnival ship.  The seafood restaurant seems to follow the ambiance of a specialty restaurant but everything else, it's just big and plain so far.  I don't know, maybe in person it will be different.  But for now I'm glad the other cruises we have booked are on the other ships.  I think the new mega ships will not be for us and sadly as they take more and more of the older out of commission, it will take us out of cruising with Carnival. The other thing that really gets me is orginally John said the pools would have regular step in allowing for those with challenges easier access, that didn't happen either... Still looking forward to when we actually are back on a ship, any ship.

You still have over 20 ships in the fleet to choose from.  You will not like the MG.  You are  already poisoning your mind with your preconceived notions regarding nitpicking of things you're seeing on a YouTube video.  Hopefully your opinion will change next March when you're on board.

[SNJCruisers]

14 hours ago, scwhiner said:

 It is the way it is and it's just unfortunate.   They preached about creating an experience for all but yet they have designated "classes" with all the restricted areas.  They could have easily retained upscale dining open to all to pay for the experience, follow a dress code, tableclothes, etc... if they wanted to go.

Restricted areas?  Loft 19 and Havana, two sections on a 180,000 ton ship.  If you want to see classes on a ship, go on one of the newer builds on MSC.  They have 4 classes there.   Yacht Club,  Aurea, Fantastica and Bella.

[SNJCruisers]

13 hours ago, BrotherCraig said:

.  I am already a Excel Class fan and I didn't even set foot on the ship yet.  My jaw is still on the floor.  

I had a feeling it would be a game changer for Carnival.   Currently have Halloween booked, a B2B next Aug/Sep and January of 2023 on the Celebration. 

[Tyro1]

Something I find intriguing is how often “foreseeable future” has been used Especially for the complimentary dining options like chi-bang. I really don’t see a problem with them charging for theses kinds of restaurants but I feel like they may be setting their selves up for failure once it inevitably switches to a surcharge again. I’m also curious how long foreseeable is, I think previously these places were announced to be complimentary for the first 2 months or so  of inaugural season, but I may be mistaken. 

[KmomChicago]

5 hours ago, Tyro1 said:

Something I find intriguing is how often “foreseeable future” has been used Especially for the complimentary dining options like chi-bang. I really don’t see a problem with them charging for theses kinds of restaurants but I feel like they may be setting their selves up for failure once it inevitably switches to a surcharge again. I’m also curious how long foreseeable is, I think previously these places were announced to be complimentary for the first 2 months or so  of inaugural season, but I may be mistaken. 

 

That is a very versatile phrase, isn't it? My company is in a period of massive changes and so now we have a lot of situations where people are asking about specifics. Will this change too? Will that?  Often the answer is, for the foreseeable future, that is not happening. 

 

We all know what it means. It could change at any time and we haven't decided if or when.  However, I don't think the $15 price point is too much to lead to failure if the venues are good.